Hero Dixon Officer, School Shooting Suspect Identified

DIXON, IL — A school resource officer in Dixon, Illinois, has been hailed as a hero for running at, chasing and ultimately shooting a gunman who started spraying bullets inside a high school. The officer confronted the armed suspect Wednesday morning after he opened fire at Dixon High School, City Administrator Danny Langloss said in a statement.

The suspected shooter has been identified as 19-year-old Matthew Milby, who was recently expelled from the school. Illinois State Police announced charges against Milby on Wednesday night.

Milby is charged with aggravated discharge of a weapon toward a peace officer, aggravated discharge at a school employee and aggravated discharge in a school building, according to WQAD. Lee County court records indicate the charges were filed Wednesday.

Dixon Police Chief Steve Howell identified the school resource officer as Mark Dallas, a 15-year veteran of the Dixon Police Department and a 24-year law enforcement veteran.

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Wednesday night, Howell said Dallas was on duty in the area of the DHS auditorium at around 8:06 a.m. as a graduation rehearsal was taking place. Howell said Dallas heard several gunshots and ran in the direction of the gunfire, confronting Milby and chasing him on foot as he fled the school building.

During the foot pursuit, the gunman fired several shots at Dallas, who returned fire and hit the teen, Howell said. Howell said the suspected gunman was being treated at an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and is under 24-hour watch by police.

Howell asked the media to give Dallas and his family privacy "as we work through this traumatic incident." He said Dallas will not be available for media interviews until he is formally interviewed by Illinois State Police.

City officials say many things "went right" Wednesday morning when a great many of them could've gone wrong.

Mayor Liandro Arellano Jr. addressed reporters at a news conference Wednesday afternoon, saying an investigation is ongoing and praising the officer for his actions.

"Things could've gone much worse," Arellano said. "Certainly, we at the city are deeply indebted to out officer and the response and actions he took today. Things went well that may not have in the past."

Howell said he couldn't be more proud of Dallas, who reacted quickly when shots started ringing out in the hallway.

"Because of his heroic actions, countless lives were saved," Howell said. "We are forever indebted to him for his service and his bravery."

Police believe the suspect acted alone. No students or staff were hurt, officials said. Authorities believe there is no further threat to the community.

"We would also like to add that the students and staff responded to the situation extremely well," Howell said.

The district had been receiving ongoing training in front of Dixon Police Department in how to respond to these situations.

"While removing students from the various classrooms, responding officers found the staff, students had barricaded the doors to the classrooms with desks, bookcases and other objects per the training that they'd received," Howell said.

The FBI and ATF responded to the scene.

Dixon High School has about 800 students, according to U.S. News & World Report. The student body is 53 percent male and 47 percent female. It is the only high school in Dixon Usd 170.

The school is located about 35 miles southwest of Rockford in Lee County.

Photo credits: Screenshot Google Maps/photo of Officer Mark Dallas via Dixon Police Department